Houston reduces roster to 15 players for season opener

HOUSTON -- Nearly a month after gathering in Austin for training camp, the Rockets have finalized their roster for the regular season opener.

Rockets general manager Carroll Dawson announced Friday that the team has released forward Ryan Bowen and guard/forward Casey Jacobsen.

Bowen, 31, did not play in the preseason because of a hip injury and Jacobsen, 25, saw limited action in four of Houston's seven preseason games.

Bowen played two of his seven NBA seasons with the Rockets, averaging 2.7 points and 2.2 rebounds over his career. He started 19 games last season when the Rockets were slowed down by injuries.

Jacobsen, who hadn't played in the NBA since leaving the New Orleans Hornets in 2005, was unable to stick with the Rockets after shooting 11.1 percent from the field in the preseason. He averaged 1.5 points and 1.8 rebounds in four preseason games.

The Rockets do not have to waive any more players before Wednesday's season opener at Utah after reaching the 15-man roster limit with Friday's moves.